The first batch of this year's Padma honours were handed out by President Pranab Mukherjee. Actresses Sharmila Tagore and Sridevi received their Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri respectively. Cricketer Rahul Dravid received the Padma Bhushan.

The first batch of this year's Padma honours were handed out by President Pranab Mukherjee. Actresses Sharmila Tagore and Sridevi received their Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri respectively. Cricketer Rahul Dravid received the Padma Bhushan.

Actor Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore's co-star of many hit films, and comedian Jaspal Bhatti will both receive the Padma Bhushan posthumously in the next batch of awards. Mr Khanna died in July and Mr Bhatti in October last year.

Boxer Mary Kom and industrialist Adi Godrej will also be receiving the Padma Bhushan.

The list of honours were announced on January 25 and another ceremony is expected later for presentation of the awards to the remaining recipients. The selection committee this year included actress Ratna Pathak Shah, scientist Anil Kakodkar and Union Home Secretary RK Singh, among others.